Jim Harbaugh reportedly torn over Michigan offer

Updated 12:05 am, Saturday, December 20, 2014

During Jim Harbaugh’s senior season at Michigan in 1986, he barely spoke to his position coach, Jerry Hanlon, for several weeks because Hanlon told the ultra-intense quarterback to stop criticizing his wide receivers.

Twenty-eight years later, Harbaugh and Hanlon have long since repaired what is now a close relationship, but the former Wolverines assistant knows all about Harbaugh’s challenging personality.

With that in mind, Hanlon, 85, who still lives in Ann Arbor, laughed Friday when asked about the swirling rumors: Would Harbaugh and Michigan be a good fit?

“Would he be a good coach? Heck, Jimmy’s already proven himself,” said Hanlon, a Michigan assistant from 1969-91. “Would they like him around here? I’ve said, 'As far as I know, he’ll be welcome when he first comes in. How long it’s going to stay that way, I don’t know.’ But, really, I know a lot of people would like to see it.”

Indeed, Harbaugh’s family and friends are encouraging him to return to Michigan, but he is “torn” because he prefers coaching in the NFL and wants to see what professional opportunities are available shortly after the 49ers play their final regular-season game on Dec. 28, ESPN reported Friday.

Michigan has reportedly offered Harbaugh a six-year, $49 million contract, but it’s unknown whether the school would wait for Harbaugh to make a decision in late December at the earliest.

Photo: John Froschauer / Associated Press

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh stands near line judge John Hussey during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh stands near line judge John Hussey during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Photo: John Froschauer / Associated Press

Jim Harbaugh reportedly torn over Michigan offer

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Harbaugh obviously has close ties to Michigan, where his dad, Jack, was an assistant from 1973 to 1979 under the late Bo Schembechler, a coach Harbaugh reveres. On Thursday, Harbaugh declined to answer when asked about his emotional connection to his alma mater.

“Again, I really don’t want to — I don’t talk about any other job than the one I have,” he said. “Or talk about anyone else’s process.”

But Harbaugh’s former college teammates have been happy to talk about him returning to Michigan. The Wolverines have a 46-42 record since 2008 under Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke, who was fired this month after a 5-7 season.

“I would love to have him here,” former Michigan tight end Derrick Walker, a teammate of Harbaugh’s for two seasons, told the Detroit News. “It would put us in a place where we haven’t been in the last eight to 10 years, no disrespect to Rich Rodriguez or Brady Hoke. It would bring instant credibility. He brings a winning culture.”

Indeed, Harbaugh has a 43-18-1 record and three NFC title-game appearances in four seasons with the 49ers, but that union is widely expected to end because of personality conflicts between the coach and front office.

Such conflicts could exist wherever Harbaugh lands, but that doesn’t mean he won’t succeed. In 1986, after all, Michigan won the Big 10 title, went 11-2 and reached the Rose Bowl, despite the differences between Harbaugh and Hanlon.

“It didn’t hurt his football playing,” Hanlon said. “And it didn’t bother my coaching. So I think it worked out all right.”